Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan update

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Executive's recommended 2019 Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan sent to King County Council

On, July 26, 2018, King County Executive Dow Constantine transmitted the 2019 Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan (July 2018) (Plan) to the King County Council for their consideration and approval. This Plan Download PDF 10 MB, which updates the 2001 Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan, presents strategies for managing King County's solid waste over the next six years, with consideration of the next 20 years. It addresses the many components of the regional system including recycling, collection, finance, transfer station services, and disposal. Comments received during the January 8 through March 8, 2018 public comment period are addressed in the Plan.

There will be additional opportunities for public input as the Plan undergoes a review and adoption process by the King County Council and the cities beginning in the fall of 2018. Please check the King County Council website or your city's website for more information. See the project schedule for next steps in the Plan approval process.

King County is working together with the cities* in our county to develop a plan for how to manage our garbage and recycling for the next 20 years. The plan provides direction for how King County and the cities will provide the services customers expect while keeping fees as low and stable as possible.

What issues will affect county residents?

The draft plan addresses many topics, however, there are three big issues ahead that will affect everyone in King County.

King County has a goal to recycle 70 percent of our waste stream. Currently we recycle 52 percent of our waste stream. What actions should we take to reach our 70 percent goal?

What are the most important services that should be provided at King County's garbage and recycling transfer facilities, including facilities in northeast King County?

How should King County dispose of its garbage over the long term?

Learn how King County's garbage and recycling system works and about the three big issues ahead.

To learn more

Hard copies: copies of the draft plan and the draft EIS are available at all King County libraries. Copies may also be ordered from King County Solid Waste Division $25 for the draft plan and $10 for the Draft EIS. Call 206-477-4466, TTY Relay: 711 to order.

Background

Washington State law requires that each county, in cooperation with the cities located in the county, prepare a coordinated, comprehensive solid waste management plan (Plan) as outlined in RCW 70.95.080. The current Plan, the 2001 Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan, along with a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) non-project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that addressed the potential impacts of implementing the plan, was adopted in 2001. Actions taken by the Division since then to update the 2001 Plan include:

In 2005, the Division, in collaboration with the cities, began preparation of the 2007 Transfer and Waste Management Plan (Transfer Plan), as well as preparation of a SEPA EIS that supplemented the 2001 Plan’s EIS. The County Council adopted the Transfer Plan in 2007; and

In 2011, along with a SEPA Determination of Non-Significance (DNS), and in 2013 the 2001 Plan was reviewed and updated. However, these reviews were not formally adopted by the King County Council or by the cities.

The Division has worked with cities to update the 2001 Plan. A new draft Plan presents strategies for managing King County's solid waste over the next 6 years, with consideration of the next 20 years. It also includes policies, recommendations, and goals for: solid waste system planning; waste prevention, recycling, and solid waste collection; solid waste transfer and processing system; landfill management and solid waste disposal; and solid waste system finance.

The draft Plan incorporates a number of policy and program changes, including:

A reevaluation of the 2007 Transfer Plan that may mean changes to the transfer system that were not discussed in the 2001 Plan or its 2011 and 2013 reviews

Project schedule

Project schedule – updated March 9, 2018 – subject to change

Date

Actions/Events/Public Meetings

June 26, 2017

Determination of Significance and Request for Comments on Scope of Environmental Impact Statement issued by King County Solid Waste Division in accordance with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)

July 17, 2017

Comments due on the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement

October 2016 – November 2017

King County Solid Waste Division met monthly with advisory committees - to continue development of the draft comp plan

December 2017

Preparation of draft Plan and draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for public release in January 2018

Jan. 8, 2018

Beginning of 60-day public review and comment period on draft Plan and draft EIS.

These documents also submitted to the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) for a 120-day preliminary review and comment period.

Jan. 24, 2018

Open House – 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Kingsgate Library, 12315 NE 143rd St., Kirkland external link . This is an informal event, so people are encouraged to drop in anytime to learn more, ask questions, and provide comments. Light refreshments and activities for children will be provided. Interpreters (Spanish, ASL, etc.) and accommodations for people with disabilities will be provided when requested at least one week in advance of the meeting. Please call 206-477-4466, TTY Relay: 711.

Jan. 30, 2018

Open House – 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Kent Senior Center, 600 East Smith St., Kent external link . This is an informal event, so people are encouraged to drop in anytime to learn more, ask questions, and provide comments. Light refreshments and activities for children will be provided. Interpreters (Spanish, ASL, etc.) and accommodations for people with disabilities will be provided when requested at least one week in advance of the meeting. Please call 206-477-4466, TTY Relay: 711.

Feb. 7, 2018

Open House – 5:30-7:30 p.m. at King County Library Service Center, 960 Newport Way NW, Issaquah external link . This is an informal event, so people are encouraged to drop in anytime to learn more, ask questions, and provide comments. Light refreshments and activities for children will be provided. Interpreters (Spanish, ASL, etc.) and accommodations for people with disabilities will be provided when requested at least one week in advance of the meeting. Please call 206-477-4466, TTY Relay: 711.

March 8, 2018

Deadline for submitting comments on the draft Plan and draft EIS

Ways to comment on the draft Plan and draft EIS included an on-line survey (in English and Spanish), three open houses, community briefings, email, and letter.

NOTE: There will be additional opportunities for public input as the draft Plan undergoes a review and adoption process by the King County Council and the cities starting in mid to late 2018. Check the King County Council website or your city's website for more information.

April-May 2018

The draft Plan and draft EIS will be revised - to address public comments, comments from Ecology and other agencies, and the King County Executive's recommendations.

Mid 2018

The Solid Waste Division will submit the King County Executive's proposed Plan to the King County Council (including the Regional Policy Committee) for adoption. The Solid Waste Division will finalize the EIS.

Late 2018

The Solid Waste Division will submit the County-approved Plan with Final EIS to the cities for adoption. The cities have a 120-day adoption period.

Mid 2019

The Solid Waste Division will submit the County/City-approved Plan with Final EIS to Ecology for final approval. Ecology has a 45-day approval period.